No Carmaker Has The Guts To Make A Chevrolet 454 SS Today

[CMNTMXR57]

I still have my '94 Lightning. It's what I was driving when I joined Chicago SVT back in the day.

Powerdyne XB-1A and Snow Performance Alcohol Injection. Still gets driven a lot. Wish the cab was a little bigger for sure, need that seat to go back about 2 more clicks...

Bone stock for bone stock the 1st Gen Lightnings destroyed the SS's in every category except cubic inches. I think "Trucks" even did an episode on this.

I think it was Motor Trend magazine that did it and I REALLY wish context such as "Destroyed" would quit being used...

Here was their test data;

0 - 60;
454 SS = 7.2 sec
Lightning = 7.2 sec

1/4 mile;
454 SS = 15.8 @ 84.7 mph
Lightning = 15.6 @ 87.4 mph

Braking 60 - 0;
454 SS = 143 ft
Lightning = 143 ft

Handling;
454 SS = .78
Lightning = .84

Speed through slalom;
454 SS = 60.7 mph
Lightning = 62.2 mph

Better YES, but hardly "destroyed".

454 SS vs Lightning 3-of-3 - NLOC Gallery

 

[Dasfinc]

These are Anton's, My bad:

 

[zenriddles]

I think it was Motor Trend magazine that did it and I REALLY wish context such as "Destroyed" would quit being used...

Here was their test data;

0 - 60;
454 SS = 7.2 sec
Lightning = 7.2 sec

1/4 mile;
454 SS = 15.8 @ 84.7 mph
Lightning = 15.6 @ 87.4 mph

Braking 60 - 0;
454 SS = 143 ft
Lightning = 143 ft

Handling;
454 SS = .78
Lightning = .84

Speed through slalom;
454 SS = 60.7 mph
Lightning = 62.2 mph

Better YES, but hardly "destroyed".

Interesting. I hadn't seen the magazine comparison. Clearly, 'better' but certainly far from 'destroyed' indeed.

I saw a TV show on trucks, I think it WAS "Trucks" but can't find it. There was maybe three or four episodes in a mini-series.
The acceleration and 1/4 mile times I recall as similar, but the handling and braking the 454 SS was mostly a far cry behind. Every once in a while it could muster a nearly similar number to the L, but 4 out of 5 trials the tail would come around, front brakes would lock repeatedly, etc. - just generally more poor.
It COULD put down a lucky number once in a while, but it was not consistent like the Lightning.

I will keep looking for the videos. I'm also glad you pointed out the magazine article as I very much want to read up on this.

Cheers!

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Trucks had a shootout between an SS and a lightning but they also had a dollar amount to modify them. I don’t recall a bone stock shootout by them. One had a remote mount turbo but I can’t remember which.

 

[daturbosix]

https://www.powernationtv.com/episode/TK2008-01/muscletrux-part-1

 

[Mr_Roboto]

almost regretting going LS vs the pump gas 496 bbc i was originally going to do.. almost....

I would imagine with some light suspension mods it would blow away a 454SS in most regards if not all too.

» Chevrolet Silverado 0-60 1/4 mile fuel economy

I'll throw this out, 0-60 and 1/4 mile look very similar to an SS/Lightning but are out of a non performance truck. Hard to find "official" numbers on this stuff.

 

[daturbosix]

I would imagine with some light suspension mods it would blow away a 454SS in most regards if not all too.

» Chevrolet Silverado 0-60 1/4 mile fuel economy

I'll throw this out, 0-60 and 1/4 mile look very similar to an SS/Lightning but are out of a non performance truck. Hard to find "official" numbers on this stuff.

caltracs and adjustable shocks will be all the suspension my truck will be getting

 

[guspech750]

I would daily one of those 454's easily. Such a unique truck for it's time and still cool today. It's not flashy. Just plain Jane coolness. The dash boards in those GMC/Chevy trucks are some of the biggest piles of shit I've ever seen. But I think the rest of it's coolness over shadows it. Looks better than the first gen Lightning too.

 

[Typhoon]

Syclone > 454SS. Obviously I'm highly biased, but I do get that the mini truck thing isn't for everyone.

 

[Kensington]

The first year turbo400 3-speed 454SS sucked ass.

It wasn't until they got a better rear gear, a 4-speed auto, and a bit better motor that it became decent.

Still, from what I understand, the worst head ever fitted to a big block.

Shit they only made like 225-245 HP.

 

[Mr_Roboto]

The first year turbo400 3-speed 454SS sucked ass.

It wasn't until they got a better rear gear, a 4-speed auto, and a bit better motor that it became decent.

Still, from what I understand, the worst head ever fitted to a big block.

Shit they only made like 225-245 HP.

Powertrain does have a ton to do with how good a vehicle is. That said, these really needed more head flow. If I were considering one of these, I'd be very inclined to slap in a small cam and apply boost. BBCs really like the PSI.

 

[Kensington]

Powertrain does have a ton to do with how good a vehicle is. That said, these really needed more head flow. If I were considering one of these, I'd be very inclined to slap in a small cam and apply boost. BBCs really like the PSI.

I mean...the whole point of the 454SS is the powertrain though. I agree that more often than not, the powertrain doesn't necessarily dictate about how good a vehicle, but in this case, where they plastered the name across the bedside, then proceeded to fit it with probably the worst version of the BBC ever.

There are a few kits out there. Heads, cam, intake where the motors pick up like 150 HP.